Monday, April 02, 2007 DA links farmers to modern markets By Joy Romares-Sevilla
THE Department of Agriculture (DA) has finally came up with solutions to strengthen Mindanao's vegetable supply chains and to address one of the pressing issues confronting it -- the access to modern markets.
DA has started to implement the Regoverning Markets Program, in partnership with the International Federation of Agricultural Producers through its local affiliate, the Free Farmers Federation, to link small farmers to modern markets -- like big supermarkets and fastfood outlets.
With the implementation of the program, DA is hoping to complete the chain and to open retail outlets for the farmers and to improve access to retail outlets.
The agency is also exerting efforts to establish several projects to address issues in the vegetable chain -- from production to the marketing aspects.
The projects include refrigeration system, major road projects, and agribusiness centers.
It was learned that the Regoverning Markets Program has funded a study tagged as the NorminVeggies case in Mindanao, particularly in Cagayan de Oro City. The case highlighted lessons on best practice and in making changes in linking small farmers to productive markets.
